Don Kirshner, 76, a rock promoter and music publisher was in a hospital in Boca Raton, Florida being treated for an infection when he died on Monday, January 17.

Kirshner began his career in the music business as a songwriter, writing “My First Love” for Bobby Darin. Larger success came later while professionally collaborating with songwriters such as Neil Diamond, Carole King and Neil Sedaka. Such talented songwriters created music for groups like The Monkees. The Monkees were a successful band both on television and the music world with hits such as “I’m a Believer,” penned by Diamond. Kirshner also contributed to the The Archies’ success.

“Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert,” a television music variety show that ran during the 1970s and early 1980s, helped launch the careers of notable artists such as Billy Joel, the Police, The Eagles and Ozzy Osborne. Kirshner created and produced the show which was syndicated to television stations.

Kirshner also ran three record labels: Dimension Records, Colgems Records and Kirshner Records.

Currently, Kirshner was chief creative officer of Rockrena, a company launching in 2011 to find and promote music artists online.